June 2008 Newsletter

ANNUAL MEETING – Sat., July 12th – 9:30 a.m. :
The meeting will again take place in the yards of Mary Richards and the Goldsmith homes on Olde Pine Rd (off Rte 153, the same location as the Spring, Fall meetings and last year’s annual meeting). Thanks to Mary and the Goldsmiths for once again donating their yards for our meeting. (BRING A CHAIR/dress for the weather). President Don plans to start the meeting promptly at 9:30. There will be an election of officers which leads to the next related topic.

PRP ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP
If you haven’t attended an annual meeting before please consider attending and get to know who does what. We need more members to step up to the plate and get involved. If you love Pine River Pond and have a desire to keep this place special there is a place for you in the association.

MARINE PATROL – 150 FT MARKER BUOY
The large orange marker buoy opposite Morin’s Point is a visual representation of what 150 feet looks like since it is that far from the west shore. 150 feet is the “safe passage” distance to be kept from shore, other boats and swimmers. IF you are going faster than headway speed and ignore that distance requirement, you risk a fine.

BOATING TIPS
Be courteous…if you are approaching a narrow spot and a boat towing a skier is heading towards you, consider slowing down and yielding so the towing boat doesn’t have to dump the skier.
Save gas…a powerboat’s efficiency changes with speed and planing angle. If driven with bow in the air you use more gas, you and your passengers can hardly see and you create a large wake which erodes the shore and can capsize other craft.

SHORELINE PROTECTION ACT
Recently the effective date was extended to July 1, 2008 and the 50’ setback rule will apply to Wakefield. For more information on this important act go to www.nhlakes.org . There are several parts to this and many are being disputed but at this time is is set to take effect July 1, 2008

STAR GAZING THE NIGHT SKY
Sitting by the shore at night observing the night sky is a pleasant experience but can be spoiled if someone nearby or even across the lake has a bright light shining in your eyes.
Unless you need the light, consider turning it off. You’ll please others and save on your electric bill as well! For satellite tracking check out www.heavens-above.com. The International Space Station often crosses over our area and is fun to watch for and watch!

PRP SHOP – LOGO CLOTHES, ICE CREAM, ART!
Boni McRobbie has great stock of PRP embroidered logo tee shirts, sweatshirts, hooded zip front sweatshirts, men’s and women’s golf shirts, shorts (screen print), baseball hats, nylon wind breakers, zip front jackets, lake maps (suitable for framing) and PRP Guide Book. Sizes from S to 2X and 12 month size infant ‘onesies’ too. Check out NEW coffee mugs, also.

ICE CREAM -- Bring the family and BEAT THE HEAT! Popsicles and assorted ice cream on a stick at very reasonable prices will be selling fast this Summer! Keep a bit of change in your boat for a refreshing treat!!!

WATER COLOR ARTWORK -- (originals and prints) and new Loon note cards by artist Maureen McCarthy will also be available. Maureen captures the beauty of the lakes and mountains, loons, wildflowers and much more.

The “shop” is open most Summer weekends when the OPEN flag is flying on the dock. Questions? Call Boni at 522-6881. This is a completely volunteer effort on the part of Boni and we are extremely lucky and grateful. The sale of all these items is our biggest association fund raiser. Your support is appreciated.

ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT: Friday, July 4th
To be held at Province Lake Country Club with an 8:15 AM tee time. Always a great time! Format is four person scramble. Prizes! IMPORTANT: to register please call Don Cormier at 603-522-3292 or e-mail him at judydoncormier@roadrunner.com. The cost is not final at this writing but is expected to be around $72.00 per person as it was last year. Don needs your registration and payment prior to the day of the tournament.

FIREWORKS - SAT, July 12th (Rain date July 19):
Hoping for favorable weather, the show will begin at 9:30 PM. The shoot-off site will be the Michawanic Village Beach again. Thanks for their hospitality! This is the ONLY place on the lake where this can be held. Fireworks Chairperson is Pete Congdon (603) 941-0421. Thanks for stepping forward again Pete! As many know, this is a tough event to plan and the actual shoot can be cancelled as late as midday depending on weather conditions (including excessive wind). As always, the Association tries for bigger and better show – it’s such a crowd-pleasing event with a feeling of excitement and anticipation in the air and the vision of hundreds of boats waiting!
In the past we have asked for a $20 average donations but this year we need to ask for $25.00 or more. Do the math:.if ALL 400 + cottages donated $20 that’s $8,000. In reality, not everyone donates, so when sending your check consider what you’d spend to drive to Wolfeboro or other venues. Also, if you have friends & family who enjoy this special night, please ask them to donate too!
A few road associations collect PRP Assn dues AND fireworks donations together with their own road dues. Typically this creates timing and bookkeeping difficulties for our Treasurer. If yours is one of those, PLEASE send fireworks donations to us directly. Thanks!Finally, an important commitment to Michawanic Village is to have their beach cleaned up by 10AM the next day. Please volunteer to assist in the cleanup. Please come to the beach at 8:30AM Sunday morning to help. NOTE: Fireworks permission is granted for this one event only.

LOON NEWS:
There have been several loons on the lake and we’ll likely end up with one resident pair. If they nest our resident “loon rangers” will mark the nesting area to discourage disruption by boats. If you see a problem call Barry Fryer at 522-8555 at “Loon Central”

DRINKING WATER TESTING:
Barry Fryer confirms the following: Drinking water testing dates are Mondays June 9, July 14, August 11 and September 8. The procedure involves picking up a kit, taking a sample no sooner than the day before (a Sunday) and dropping it off at his dock (with the big loon cutouts) the same day so it can be taken to Concord on one of the above dates. For questions contact Barry at 522-8555. Thanks, Barry!

WEED WATCH:
We will have a repeat of last year’s weed watch day on Sunday August 10 via a 10:00 meeting at Bob Lundgren’s. You’ll be given special weed collection bags and assignments. You’ll need a swim mask or goggles and the inclination to swim! If this interests you, please advise Bob by e-mail at robertlundgren1@roadrunner.com so we can keep in contact. If you’ve always wanted to do something to help the association here’s your chance. Help thwart the threat of invasive weeds.

PUBLIC ACCESS and MILFOIL CAUTION:
Nothing new to report - yet. There are many private launching spots on the lake so it is incumbent on all who use them to be SURE trailers and drive systems are FREE of ANY weeds. Local lakes with milfoil are: Belleau’s, Wentworth, Balch and Winnipesaukee (especially Back Bay). All it takes is a STRAND to infect our lake, create a financial nightmare to resolve and threaten to reduce property values.

FISHING LICENSES ONLINE:
Fishing licenses are required on PRP and now it is possible for you to buy a fishing license on-line. Go to www.wildlife.state.nh.us. You will need a credit card and a printer but you’ll save time and gas.

BOATING SAFETY COURSE:
After years of reminders it’s nice to know that you all have taken and passed the test! (just kidding of course). Generally a boat education certificate is required if you drive a boat with 25hp and over. For all the rules read them in the book or go on line to the NH Dept of Safety
at http://www.boat-ed.com/nh/index.htm

REMINDERS TO BE “LEGAL”:
Don’t forget boat registration stickers, fishing licenses, dump stickers. In addition seasonal campfire permits are available at the Safety building in Sanbornville as well as Rte 153 Garage (Rhoadie’s) in East Wakefield.
Permits for burning brush are normally issued only if it’s raining. If there is snow on the ground, normally no permit is needed but check with the fire dept first.

LOST AND FOUND, “FOR SALE” & TIMELY LAKE RELATED UPDATES:
Contact Dave Lee Sr (prpassociation@roadrunner.com) and he will “broadcast” information to our on-line group as necessary. This valuable, time-sensitive service is only for lake-related matters. The PRP Assn reserves the right to decide what is appropriate. Thanks to Dave for managing this.

PRP WEB PAGE: www.pineriverpond.org
Maintained by Dave Lee Jr. If you have pictures you wish to have Dave review for the photo gallery, please e-mail him through the website. Those members who get the newsletter by e-mail will now be directed by e-mail to view the newsletter on our web page. We now have over 175 members in this category saving us a lot of time & $$.

AWWA YCC EROSION CONTROL HELP FOR LAKEFRONT HOME OWNERS
Are you losing your property into the lake?
What happens on your property when it rains?
* Does the water rush down your driveway into the lake?
• Does your roof runoff leave ruts under your eaves?
• Do you have an open slope to the lake with nothing to slow the water?
• Does water come pouring out of your downspouts with nothing to contain it?
Did you know that not only is your property disappearing but that when sediment enters the lake it is damaging the water quality and habitat for aquatic creatures?
Sediments can cloud the water, damage fish gills, smother microscopic organisms, and carry pollutants. Those pollutants can increase plant and algae growth; harm aquatic insects, fish and birds; and can be dangerous for swimmers—all leading to lower property values.
None of us want that!

THE AWWA YCC CAN HELP!
The Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance can offer solutions to your problems with erosion from stormwater runoff. Our Technical Director will visit with you to determine the best remedy using Best Management Practices (BMPs) and will create a personalized design at no cost to you.
If your property meets the criteria, you may be considered as a project site for the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). If your site is chosen, the YCC crew, using hand tools only, will install the suggested BMPs at no cost—you provide all the materials and plants. The YCC is a supervised crew of local high school students that implements erosion control measures on properties that have serious erosion issues impacting water quality.
If you have a stormwater or erosion issue on your property and you would like to receive free technical assistance, please call or email the AWWA YCC Technical Director, Adam Shoukimas at 603-275-2500 or techdirector@AWwatersheds.org
This project is funded in part by grants from the NH DES Watershed Assistance Program, the NH SCC Moose Plate program and the NH Charitable Foundation.

BOAT PARADE - YEAR 37 – Sun., August 31
This year’s Boat parade details are TBD. (Note the word BOAT..not just party boat) will likely be held on the SUNDAY of Labor Day weekend. It’s always a spirited event. Whether you decorate or just join the parade, all boat owners are welcome. Questions? Call organizer Jennifer Golini at 522-6174 or check our website.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL PROCEDURE:
Along with this newsletter you’ll also receive a membership renewal application and a return envelope for your convenience (as well as hopefully being an incentive for prompt return). Please update information and return with your check for dues and a fireworks donation for this year’s show. Why not DO IT NOW?

PASSAGES: Our sympathy to the family of Dick Anderson of Camp Road and York Beach ME. He died May 2.

Have a safe and healthy Summer!
Bob Lundgren, Editor